A Hoarding Alliance local resource guide

Hoarding support in San Marcos, Texas.

A respectful place to begin, whether you are looking for support for yourself, worried about someone you love, or trying to respond to a safety, housing, care, or practical concern in San Marcos or Hays County.

People first.Then the stuff.A Fight the Blight initiative

Start here - Fight the Blight

You can begin with the part that feels most urgent today.

Our virtual groups give people affected by hoarding and clutter concerns a place to connect from San Marcos, Hays County, and nearby Central Texas communities. We can help you think through what kind of next step may fit.

For immediate danger

Call 911 for a medical emergency, fire, or immediate threat. For behavioral-health crisis support, call or text 988 or contact the local Hill Country MHDD crisis pathway. For food, shelter, housing, utilities, transportation, or benefits navigation, call 211 and confirm local availability.

First conversations

A few good places to start

You do not need to know the perfect service name before reaching out. These organizations can help you understand the landscape and identify a next step.

Public behavioral-health, substance-use, crisis-stabilization, mobile-crisis, peer, veteran, and IDD pathway - Hays County and Central Texas; intake, clinical, reduced-fee, and eligibility rules apply

Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers

Hill Country MHDD Centers provides public behavioral-health, substance-use, crisis, peer, veteran, and intellectual or developmental disability services across Central Texas. Ask about the San Marcos pathway, current access, open intake, and what support fits; this is not a cleanup provider or substitute for emergency dispatch.

Official basic-health, hospital, prescription, specialist-referral, and mental-health-referral pathway for eligible low-income Hays County residents without other coverage; residence, income, resources, and application rules apply

Hays County Indigent Health Care

Hays County Indigent Health Care serves eligible low-income Hays County residents who do not have other state or federal coverage. The county lists office visits, imaging, specialist referrals, hospitalization limits, emergency care, prescriptions, and mental-health referrals; eligibility and documentation rules must be confirmed before relying on the program.

Public-housing, Housing Choice Voucher, elderly or disabled housing, and self-sufficiency pathway - San Marcos and Hays County; income, waitlist, application, and program rules apply; not emergency shelter

San Marcos Housing Authority

The San Marcos Housing Authority lists public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, family self-sufficiency, and services for elderly or disabled residents. Ask about current waitlists, accessible units, reasonable accommodations, documentation, and whether a housing or voucher pathway is open; housing is not emergency shelter.

No-cost food, client-choice market, distribution, SNAP and benefits-navigation pathway - Hays County; appointment, household, schedule, supply, and documentation rules apply

Hays County Food Bank

Hays County Food Bank provides food at no cost to low-income households and people experiencing food emergencies, with a client-choice market, distribution sites, and SNAP or benefits-application assistance. The San Marcos market is appointment-based and clients may attend once every 30 days; confirm current hours, address, documents, and availability before traveling.

Safety and stability

When the concern involves safety, housing, or crisis

These pathways serve different situations. Read the labels carefully before calling, especially when a response may involve crisis care, protective services, shelter, housing rules, legal advocacy, or emergency dispatch.

Emergency dispatch for immediate danger, fire, medical emergency, or active threat - San Marcos and Hays County; emergency use only

911

Call 911 when someone is in immediate danger, a fire or medical emergency is happening, violence is occurring, or emergency responders are needed. A housing or clutter concern that is not immediately dangerous may need a planned county, housing, code, or support response instead.

Free 24/7 phone, text, and chat crisis support - Texas and nationwide; not a substitute for 911 when danger is immediate

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 for immediate emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or a behavioral-health or substance-use crisis. Use 911 for immediate danger, fire, or a serious medical emergency.

Local behavioral-health crisis screening, assessment, mobile-crisis, stabilization, and referral pathway - Hays County and Central Texas; crisis assessment and response rules apply; call 911 for immediate danger

Hill Country MHDD Crisis Services

The City of San Marcos directs residents to Hill Country MHDD's crisis pathway for local behavioral-health support and lists 1-877-466-0660 as the crisis number. Call for current screening, mobile-crisis, stabilization, and referral options; use 911 for an immediate threat or medical emergency.

Free, confidential advocacy, shelter-navigation, counseling, and hospital emergency advocacy pathway for family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and child abuse survivors - Hays and Caldwell counties; confidential intake, capacity, and safety rules apply

Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center

Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center offers free and confidential services to adults, youth, and children affected by family violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or child abuse, including 24-hour hospital emergency advocacy. Call 512-396-4357 to ask about current support; call 911 if danger is immediate.

24/7 hospital emergency-care pathway - San Marcos; medical triage, insurance, and billing rules apply; call 911 for emergency dispatch

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital - San Marcos Emergency Room

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital - San Marcos lists a 24/7 emergency room at 1301 Wonder World Drive, with Level IV trauma, primary stroke, and pediatric emergency capabilities. Go or call for a medical emergency and ask the hospital team about social work or discharge-planning connections; emergency care is not hoarding-specific support.

Official fire-code inspection, life-safety, prevention, and fire-hazard reporting pathway - San Marcos city limits; inspection and enforcement rules apply; call 911 for an active fire

San Marcos Fire Marshal’s Office

The San Marcos Fire Marshal’s Office handles inspections, fire-code enforcement, investigations, and life-safety concerns. Call 512-805-2600 to ask about a fire-safety issue or inspection process; call 911 for an active fire or immediate danger. This is not voluntary in-home cleanup.

Official property-maintenance, nuisance, health, safety, complaint, notice, and enforcement pathway - San Marcos city limits; inspection, notice, abatement, and cost rules apply

San Marcos Code Compliance

San Marcos Code Compliance addresses conditions affecting environment, health, safety, and property values and accepts reports through SMTX Connect or by phone. Call 512-393-8479 to ask about the appropriate process; this is not emergency dispatch, voluntary in-home cleanup, or a guarantee of a particular outcome.

Official crime-victim crisis intervention, referrals, protective-order, accompaniment, advocacy, and compensation-navigation pathway - San Marcos; crime-report, case, appointment, and eligibility rules apply; call 911 for emergencies

San Marcos Police Victim Services

San Marcos Police Victim Services offers crisis intervention, referrals, crime-victim compensation navigation, protective-order information, court or hospital accompaniment, and advocacy. Call 512-753-2120 to ask for current help; services are not emergency dispatch and 911 is the route for immediate danger.

Official abuse, neglect, and exploitation reporting pathway for vulnerable adults - Texas; reports, investigation, consent, and emergency limits apply

Texas Adult Protective Services

Texas APS accepts reports involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults who may be unable to protect themselves. Call 1-800-252-5400 for a report; APS cannot force services, and 911 is the route for immediate danger.

Official child-abuse, neglect, and exploitation reporting pathway - Texas; report, investigation, confidentiality, and emergency limits apply

Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, use the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reporting pathway. Call 1-800-252-5400; call 911 when a child faces immediate danger.

People and practical help

Housing, food, care, transportation, and ongoing support

These listings connect the local community with housing, food, behavioral health, benefits, transit, survivor advocacy, disability support, peer support, and practical resources. Ask about current availability, cost, scope, consent, and safety before relying on them.

Official resource-navigation pathway for emergency financial help, eviction prevention, food, home repair, title clearing, and city services - San Marcos; funding, eligibility, documents, and program rules vary

City of San Marcos Know Your Resources

The City of San Marcos maintains a current resource-navigation page for emergency financial assistance, eviction-prevention information, food and nutrition, home repair, title clearing, and other local pathways. The city says funding and agency availability can change; call 512-392-8298 or 512-214-5628 to confirm the current fit.

Official utility-bill assistance pathway for qualifying San Marcos customers - City utilities; income, age, disability, veteran, young-child, account, document, and funding rules apply; not emergency shutoff response

San Marcos Utility Payment Assistance

The City of San Marcos lists utility-payment assistance for qualifying residents with an active city utility account. Eligibility includes household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, age 60 or older, disability, veteran status, or a child under five; confirm current funding, documents, and application timing before relying on assistance.

Local homelessness outreach, mitigation, emergency-response, housing-navigation, and stabilization pathway - Hays County; intake, assessment, capacity, and program rules apply; not emergency shelter or 911

H.O.M.E. Center of Central Texas

The H.O.M.E. Center describes outreach, mitigation, and emergency-response work intended to reduce homelessness in Hays County to functional zero. Contact the center to ask about current coordinated-entry, housing-navigation, outreach, and stabilization options; availability and eligibility must be confirmed.

Utility, rental, case-management, food, workforce, weatherization, and self-sufficiency pathway - Hays, Caldwell, and Blanco counties; income, documents, funding, and program rules apply

Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas

Community Action, Inc. of Central Texas provides utility assistance, rental and housing-stability pathways, case management, food, workforce, education, and self-sufficiency services. The San Marcos office is at 215 South Reimer Avenue, Suite 130; call 512-392-1161 to confirm current programs, documents, funding, and eligibility.

Regional food-finder and partner-agency pathway serving San Marcos and Hays County; pantry schedule, household, supply, and eligibility rules vary; not emergency dispatch

Central Texas Food Bank Find Food Now

Central Texas Food Bank’s official food finder lists Hays County Food Bank and other San Marcos-area partner distributions. Check the current listing before traveling because schedules, locations, supply, and household requirements can change; call 211 for broader local navigation.

Local fixed-route and surrounding-area public transportation pathway - San Marcos; route, fare, accessibility, and service-schedule rules apply; not emergency transport

San Marcos Transit

San Marcos Transit connects city and surrounding-area riders through local fixed routes and CARTS partnerships and provides a real-time bus tracker. Confirm current routes, fares, accessibility, holiday schedules, and any transfer needs before traveling; transit is not emergency response.

Regional interurban, rural, and ADA or paratransit transportation pathway - Central Texas; application, eligibility, reservation, route, fare, and service-area rules apply; not emergency transport

CARTS San Marcos and ADA Services

CARTS provides regional routes from San Marcos and lists ADA and other transportation services, including application and eligibility information. Ask about current stops, reservations, fares, accessibility, and service area before traveling; transportation is not emergency response.

City household-hazardous-waste drop-off and reuse pathway - San Marcos and Hays County residents; residency, item, quantity, vehicle, and operating-hour rules apply; not commercial waste or in-home removal

San Marcos Household Hazardous Waste Facility

San Marcos operates a household-hazardous-waste drop-off and reuse center at 634 East Hopkins Street for San Marcos and Hays County residents. The city lists Friday and Saturday drop-off windows and a 300-pound-per-vehicle-per-day limit; confirm accepted items, proof of residency, current hours, and safe transport before traveling.

City bulky-waste and community-cleanup drop-off pathway for eligible residential utility customers; utility-bill, capacity, material, and staff-acceptance rules apply; not in-home removal

San Marcos Community Clean-Up

The City of San Marcos offers community clean-up and bulky-waste drop-off opportunities for eligible residential garbage or multifamily recycling customers. Bring a current utility bill and confirm the next event, accepted materials, capacity, and whether staff may refuse an item; this service does not include sorting or in-home removal.

Scheduled residential bulky-item collection pathway - San Marcos EDCO service area; account, appointment, item, quantity, and fee rules apply; not in-home removal

EDCO San Marcos Bulky-Item Pickup

EDCO’s San Marcos bulky-item service lists scheduled pickup for large household items such as furniture, appliances, scrap, and limited electronics. A nominal fee and advance scheduling may apply; confirm current rates, accepted items, pickup limits, placement instructions, and service address before relying on it.

Civil-legal information and representation pathway for eligible low-income households - Hays County and listed Texas counties; income, case, deadline, and intake rules apply; not emergency dispatch

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid lists Hays County among its service counties and provides a statewide intake line for eligible civil-legal matters. Ask about housing, landlord-tenant, public benefits, disability, consumer, or family-safety issues and apply before a deadline; eligibility and availability must be confirmed.

Local public-library, information, free internet, computer, workforce, resume, and community-connection pathway - San Marcos and Hays County; card, hours, program, technology, and facility rules apply; not crisis or clinical care

San Marcos Public Library

San Marcos Public Library offers free Hays County library cards, public computers, Wi-Fi, reference help, resume and job-search assistance, and meeting or study spaces. Visit 625 East Hopkins Street or call 512-393-8200 to confirm current hours, technology availability, accessibility, and programs.

Senior-center, hot-meal, food-bank, benefits-form, social-connection, and practical-support pathway - San Marcos; age, schedule, registration, and program rules apply; not emergency care

Hays County Senior Citizens Center

Community Action’s Hays County Senior Citizens Center in San Marcos provides hot lunches Tuesday through Friday, Hays County Food Bank distribution, social activities, and help with forms for SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, and utility assistance. Call to confirm current hours, age requirements, meal schedule, accessibility, and availability.

City recreation, senior-membership, activity, and community-connection pathway - San Marcos; age, registration, schedule, and accessibility rules apply; not crisis or clinical care

San Marcos Active Older Adult Programs

The City of San Marcos offers active older-adult programs and lists a senior membership for people age 60 and older. Call or check the current program calendar to confirm registration, fees, accessibility, transportation, and schedule details; programs are not emergency or medical services.

Official veteran and family benefits, claims, records, and referral-navigation pathway - Hays County; veteran or family eligibility, enrollment, appointment, and benefit rules apply

Hays County Veterans Services

Hays County Veterans Services is listed by the City of San Marcos as a local pathway for veterans and family members seeking benefits navigation and related support. Call 512-392-8387 to confirm current office hours, documents, enrollment, and services; call 988 and press 1 for a veteran crisis or 911 for immediate danger.

Official county behavioral-health, peer-support, crisis, legal, victim-service, and community-referral directory - Hays County; intake, eligibility, availability, and program rules vary

Hays County Behavioral Health and Resource Directory

Hays County maintains behavioral-health and broader resource pages that point residents to 988, Hill Country MHDD peer support, crisis care, legal resources, victim services, and other local pathways. Use the directory to identify a current fit, then confirm intake, eligibility, hours, and capacity directly with the provider.

Statewide information-and-referral pathway for food, housing, utilities, health, transportation, benefits, and local services - Texas; local availability, eligibility, and hours must be confirmed

Texas 2-1-1

Call 211 to ask for current local housing, food, utility, transportation, health, benefits, and crisis-navigation resources in San Marcos and Hays County. The service is a referral starting point, not a guarantee of eligibility, funding, shelter, or emergency response.

Private-pay hoarding support, organizing help, groups, and family guidance - broader service area; scope, cost, scheduling, travel, consent, and safety rules apply

The Peer Tree

The Peer Tree is the private-pay pathway for organizing help, decluttering support, groups, family guidance, and practical next steps when a grant or public program is not the right fit. Ask about scope, cost, travel, consent, safety, and whether support is available in San Marcos or Hays County.

Digital peer-support pathway for people affected by hoarding and clutter concerns - online; not therapy or emergency support

Unburied

Unburied, from The Peer Tree, offers a judgment-free digital pathway with peer support, groups, and tools for people directly affected and for friends or family supporters. It is not therapy, a crisis service, or a substitute for emergency help.

A note from the Alliance

Start with the person. Then decide what the situation needs.

This guide is anchored in San Marcos, Texas, and includes city, county, state, nonprofit, national, and independent pathways. A listing here does not mean Fight the Blight endorses every provider or can guarantee availability. The Hoarding Alliance is not a city or county agency, therapy practice, emergency service, or cleanup company. We will keep reviewing this page, but please confirm details directly before relying on them.

Need help choosing a path? Contact Fight the Blight